Tulip Terror

Sure there are things I’m afraid of or maybe it’s manlier to say “not comfortable with” – such as water, meteors on a collision course with Earth, woman with more facial hair than I, but tulips? Pretty little tulips? It wasn’t so much an actual tulip but more the 2 mile race today. Terror is really too strong of a word, I’m no pussy after all. Stop it, I’m really not. It was a BIG sliver and I wasn’t crying…sometimes my eyes water…stupid eyes.

Yes, I raced today. It’s been sometime since I’ve done that. I admit I was a bit nervous. You know I’m on my comeback and my mileage has been increasing. Long slow miles which I once thought would make me a long slow tortoise, er runner. Turns out that I wrong. Anyway, the past few weeks I have been having a disagreement with my right hip. Honestly we’ve not been on speaking terms unless you count its parts and pieces causing me pain and my foul mouthed response to it – which has mostly been aimed at my hip though people around me may have suffered from collateral damage – sorry. I don’t do well when I have pain that prevents me from running. If I was a horse you might take me out back and shoot me – though I would prefer going the stud route….

My fear today was that my hip would give me some lip and I would end up walking. It behaved and I ran a good race. Managed a 7:54 pace which while not my best, saved me from being shot and my stud fee has increased. All this however was only a fraction of the day. Today was the first official outing of the 2012 Bertollisport Multisport Race Team (BMRT). Eleven ran today and I think those handing out medals are still shaking their heads and wondering who these people are. Seven of the eleven walked away with medals, ranging from 1st in their age group to third. The youngest was Evan, Curt’s 10 year old son who from this day forward will always be “Rocket” to me. He finished first in his age group for the 5 mile with an 8:01 pace. He didn’t look tired coming in the final 50 yards. Sharon and Steve both won their age group but neglected to fill out the bottom of their race bib so there was no official data to cling too. I took home a medal and Steve was in front of me – he more than earned it. Not just for today’s race but for the journey to get here. Iain won his division and I think we’ll see more decoration around his neck as the season continues.

Then there were the girls. Leah, Jessica, and Sharon showed their stuff and walked away with medals – cept for Sharon as you recall the bib incident. These girls are just plain f’ing fast. I love fast girls. No mom, that’s not what I meant…..I saw Helena finish the 5 miles and she looked like she could keep on going. The 2 mile girls ran out to run in with Tara who was cranking out a 5 miler today. I can’t speak for her but in her eyes I saw what she’s made of as she came down the stretch with her friends – that girl will never quit - -anything! Finally there’s Melanie who I’ve seen progress for a few years now. She is in the best shape I’ve seen and today’s race proved that. She’s going to have a great year!

The best thing though was seeing everyone together. Cheering for each other, helping each other, showing true friendship. I’m lucky to be part of this group and I can’t wait for the rest of the gang to race with us. Bertollisport is more than a group of people training together. Its people who care, people who believe in each other, it’s a family. Bertollisport thank you for everything. I’m all in….